City of Bakersfield Public Safety and Vital Services Committee - Measure N Is It Working?

Some members of the Committee have expressed concerns that much of the public perception of what the Committee can do differs from what they legally can do. The Committee is advisory only. Therefore, the public has unrealistic expectations of what the Committee can accomplish. Adding to this dilemma, various members of the Committee do not fully understand their role. City agrees with the finding.

Many Committee members do not feel that they have sufficient time to review documents prior to having to vote, although other members find that the time allowed for research and study is adequate. Consequently, discussion, analysis, and recommendations of the Measure N budget are limited. City agrees partially with the finding. The City agrees that there is a diversity of preferences among Committee members. Over the last four budget cycles in which the Committee has reviewed expenditures, there have been a small number of instances when scheduling challenges have left little time for research and study. Typically, Committee members receive budget materials two weeks or more in advance of voting. The City has found value in the discussion, comments and recommendations of the Committee.

Some members of the Committee do not feel that they received adequate information about their roles either prior to their appointment or immediately after having been sworn in. This results in confusion over the extent of their roles as advisors. City agrees with the finding. The City does provide orientation materials and training sessions for Committee members. The City will seek the input of Committee members as to how to improve the process.

The Committee has a legal requirement to meet formally at least twice a year. Past practice has indicated that more than two meetings are needed to accomplish the necessary research and have a coalescence of minds. For the betterment of the Committee, members are meeting more than they originally agreed to. City agrees with the finding. The City will inform prospective Committee members of the probability of additional meetings.

The practice of reading the Measure N budget request three times has the effect of filibustering the meeting, contributing to truncated discussion. The Grand Jury found this process frustrating and exhausting. City agrees with the finding. The City will adjust staff presentations to allow more time for discussion. At the request of Committee members, items have been presented initially by staff and scheduled for voting action at a later date. This allows Committee members time to assess, research proposed budget allocations and come prepared for further discussion.

The triplicate reading of the proposed Measure N budget consumes an excessive amount of time and bores both the Committee and the members of the public, thus tamping down interest and participation. City partially agrees with the finding. The City will adjust staff presentations to allow more time for discussion. As noted above, it has been at the request of Committee members that items have been presented initially by staff and scheduled for voting action at a later date. This allows Committee members time to assess, research proposed budget allocations and come prepared for further discussion. The budget schedule attempts to balance the interests of the public, the Committee, and the Council in allowing time for input, deliberation, and discussion.

Currently the Council only receives information from the Committee through the minutes. This method limits the degree of communication because the Committee does not prepare official written reports. The continuity between the Council and the Committee needs to improve. City agrees partially with the finding. City Council has received information through Committee meeting minutes, but also through the administrative reports for budget items. The voting record and minority reports for voting items have been published in the budget staff reports presented to Council. However, the City agrees that communication and continuity can be improved through written reports and feedback between Committee members and their nominating Councilmembers.

Name plaques on dais indicate the Ward that the nominating Councilmember represents. However, the individual may or may not live in that Ward. In any case, the Committee member is appointed at-large. This gives the public the impression that Committee members represent the Ward. City agrees with the finding.

The Grand Jury observed there was little time spent by the Committee discussing whether an expenditure is prudent or of "the right" amount. City agrees with the finding. While the City welcomes both specific and general feedback from the Committee, the role of the Committee is specific to acknowledging that expenditures are consistent with the spending categories identified in the ballot measure. It is the role of the Council to determine prioritization and budgeted amounts.

The Council has limited time to review comments of the Committee prior to taking action on the

Committee recommendations for changes in scope and allotment of Measure N funds are generally sparse, and those that exist are not well known to the general public. City agrees with the finding.